Our new theme is "Bring a Friend to an Audubon Field Trip," and what better time to start than when our cranes, waterfowl, and wintering songbirds like Juncos are returning? Spread the joy of the season by sharing the wonders of nature - and the fun of learning more about it.

Thanks to those who volunteered to keep our two chapter brochures stocked in our county libraries. I’m pleased to report that we now have all the branches covered. During this season of birding festivals, Christmas Bird Counts, and holidays, we value generosity and the volunteer spirit. In that regard, we mourn the loss of Audubon Board member James Rexroth, who exemplified both, and was a personal friend to many local Audubon members (including me). We celebrate all that he accomplished. He will be missed.

Take care,
Susan

Oak Grove Docents Needed

As you recently may have heard, the San Joaquin County budget for the coming year called for the permanent closure of the Oak Grove Nature Center--after 37 years of operation and tens of thousands of children and adults served. After docents negotiated with the County Parks Department, the Nature Center was given a reprieve.
The County will continue to pay the utilities, but they will no longer provide any staff support. The Nature Center program will live or die based on the work of its volunteer docents.
There are presently only a dozen or so active docents, and only five who regularly lead school tours. Some of our docents are retired teachers and others just folks who want to help. Some docents lead school tours and others work the Nature Center Museum on weekends. A few do various tasks like working in the native plant garden. We desperately need more docents.
Can you help? To say YES, or for more information, or to volunteer your neighbor, contact Alan England by email at wdchkgsqrl@yahoo.com or by telephone at 209-298-8634. Let’s keep the Oak Grove Nature Center alive.

22nd Annual Sandhill Crane Festival

November 2-4, 2018

Mark your calendars for the 22nd annual Lodi Sandhill Crane Festival, to be held Nov. 2-4, 2018, at Hutchins Street Square, in Lodi. The festival kicks off with an opening reception and Art Show on Friday, November 4th from 6:00 to 8:30 PM.
In addition to the art show, this year’s festival features field trips, workshops, presentations, live animal shows, music, children’s activities, displays, vendors, and food. General admission to the festival is FREE, although there is a charge for field trips. There is a full schedule of programs on Saturday and Sunday, and a wide variety of field trips is offered all three days. For registration and information, go to www.cranefestival.com.

Hutchins Street Square, Lodi, CA

22nd Annual Central Valley Birding Symposium

November 15-18, 2018

The Central Valley Bird Club will be hosting the 22nd annual Central Valley Birding Symposium Nov. 15-18, 2018, at the Stockton Hilton Hotel in Stockton, CA. The Great Central Valley, in the heart of California and the Pacific Flyway, is uniquely situated for excellent birding. Please join us as the CVBS again celebrates the best of birding in the Central Valley!

The CVBS kicks off with a scrumptious hors d’oeuvres buffet & no host bar on Thursday night, followed by one of our favorite keynotes, outstanding photographer, birder, and presenter, Ed Harper, with his program on "Northern Delights”.

Friday night's keynote program “Bird Migration: The More We Learn, The Less We Know” will be presented by Ed Pandolfino.

Saturday night's keynote program, “The Trade Off” will be presented by John Kricher. In this lively and thought-provoking presentation, he will contrast the lives, ecology, and natural history of long-distance migrant passerine birds with bird species that are permanent residents of lowland tropical forests.

Field trips, offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday, always turn up exciting birds. Add in the entertaining and educational Bird ID Panel, the wonderful selection of optics, art and gifts at the Birder’s Market plus the camaraderie of hundreds of like-minded folks, and you know you’ll have a good time! There's something for everyone interested in birds. Come and join us to bird, learn, and just have fun!

JAMES REXROTH

(February 17, 1960-September 8, 2018)

In Memoriam

James Rexroth, a friend of many in the San Joaquin Audubon Society and a member of our Board of Directors, died unexpectedly September 8. James worked at Micke Grove Zoo for 27 years as a Zoo Keeper and Interim Manager. He was Coordinator of the Oak Grove Nature Center for six years and continued in retirement as a volunteer docent. James was instrumental in keeping the Nature Center open when County Parks recently threatened its closure. James was a gentle soul; fellow birders and the many he mentored remember him fondly.

BIRD SIGHTINGS

August 16, 2018 – October 1, 2018(All sightings pertain to San Joaquin County)
Submitted by Liz West

On August 21st, Dan Williams spotted two Bank Swallows within a flock of Tree Swallows foraging over the Lodi Sewage ponds.

Jim Rowoth and the Woodbridge Wilderness Area field trip led by Kasey Foley, found a Green-tailed Towhee and a Yellow-breasted Chat in the meadow area at Woodbridge Wilderness area on September 15th.

On September 18th, Jim Rowoth had a fleeting look at a probable Tennessee Warbler at Stockton Rural Cemetery.

Virginia Bonham saw two Pacific Golden-Plovers at the Lodi Sewage ponds on September 21st.

David Yee, on a morning visit to O’Connor Woods on September 25th, found a Philadelphia Vireo and Tennessee Warbler. Both birds were refound by Kurt Mize later that day

Joanne Katanic and Virginia Bonham reported six Willets at Staten Island on September 27th.

Hummingbird Feeding FAQs

While native flowering plants are the best source of nectar for hummingbirds, supplementing with a well-tended sugar-water feeder can provide additional sustenance during nesting season and migration. Consult our FAQ below to ensure your feeder does no harm—and helps your hummers thrive. (Read more about creating a hummingbird-friendly yard here.)

Q: Are there any downsides to supplying a hummingbird feeder to the birds in my yard?

A: No. Your hummingbird feeder will be a supplemental source of nectar for your local hummingbirds, and can help them through times when there aren’t as many blooming flowers available nearby.

Q: Do I need to buy special food for my hummingbirds?

A: No. The best (and least expensive) solution for your feeder is a 1:4 solution of refined white sugar to tap water. That’s ¼ cup of sugar in 1 cup of water. Bring the solution to a boil, then let it cool before filling the feeder. You can make a larger batch and refrigerate the extra solution, just remember to bring it up to room temperature before you re-fill the feeder.

Q: Should I put red coloring in the nectar solution?

A: No, red coloring is not necessary and the reddening chemicals could prove to be harmful to the birds. Natural nectar itself is a clear solution.

Q: Are hummingbirds attracted to red-colored things?

A: Yes, hummingbirds are attracted to red, as well as other brightly colored objects, because they have learned to associate high-quality nectar with red flowers.

Q: Should I use brown sugar, honey, or molasses instead of white sugar?

A: No, only use refined white sugar. Other sweetening agents have additional ingredients that can prove detrimental to the hummingbirds. Never use artificial sweeteners to make hummingbird nectar.

Q: How often should I empty and clean the feeder?

A: In hot weather, the feeder should be emptied and cleaned twice per week. In cooler weather, once per week is enough. If your hummingbirds empty the feeder with greater frequency, clean it every time it’s empty. Cleaning with hot tap water works fine, or use a weak vinegar solution. Avoid using dish soaps, as this can leave harmful residue in the feeder.

Q: When should I put out my hummingbird feeder?

A: In most areas of North America where hummingbirds leave during the winter, it’s best to put the feeder out about a week before they normally arrive in your yard. This date varies regionally. If you don’t know when your birds usually arrive check with your local Audubon center, chapter, or local bird club.

Q: When should I take down my feeders in the fall?

A: You can leave your feeders out for as long as you have hummingbirds around. You can even continue to provide the feeder after your hummingbirds disappear—late migrants or out-of-range species can show up into early winter. Follow the guidelines for keeping the feeders clean, even if the nectar goes untouched. Always discard any unused nectar in the feeder when you take it down for cleaning.

Q: Won’t it make my hummingbirds stay too late if I continue to leave the feeder out for them?

A: No, hummingbirds are migratory species and are genetically programmed to head south in the fall. It’s not a lack of nectar source or colder weather that makes them leave—they know it’s time based on changes in the length of the day and the angle of the sun.

Q: I live in an area where we have hummingbirds year round. Is it okay for me to feed them year round as well?

Q: I put a feeder up, but no hummingbirds have come. How can I get hummingbirds to visit my feeder?

A: Planting red or orange tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds may help them discover your feeder, if you hang it nearby. (Of course, make sure to change the nectar solution and clean the feeder regularly, even if you have not seen any hummingbirds.) You can search for native plants that your hummingbirds naturally visit using our native plants database. Learn more about planting for hummingbirds, and other ways to make your yard hummingbird-friendly, here.

Q: I have a hummingbird in my area past migration time and I’d like to feed it as long as it stays around, what do I need to know?

If you live in an area where the night-time temperatures dip below freezing regularly you will need to make sure your nectar feeder does not freeze. In areas where the nighttime temperatures only dip slightly below freezing your hummingbird nectar may not freeze as the sugar solution has a lower freezing point than plain water. However, it’s better not to have your hummingbirds drink very cold nectar; this can actually cold-stun them. For cold weather feeding, either bring the feeder indoors overnight when it gets cold and put it back outside first thing in the morning (hummingbirds need to feed as early as possible, especially when it’s cold, to keep their energy up) or you can hang an incandescent light bulb near the feeder. These bulbs give off enough heat to keep the feeder warm.

Some areas of the U.S. do see hummingbirds normally over the winter. Several species of hummingbirds regularly overwinter along the Gulf Coast, southern Arizona, and south Florida. Anna’s Hummingbirds are resident from northwestern Baja California along the Pacific coast to British Columbia, Allen’s Hummingbirds are resident in coastal Southern California, and Costa’s Hummingbirds are resident in Baja California, southeast California to western Arizona.

As climate change makes the seasons less predictable, one in five studied speciesare struggling to time their migrations with the greenery.

April showers bring May flowers . . . unless they’re already in bloom, that is. This proverb might soon need an update because the onset of spring has shifted in North America, as the leaf-growing start dates of trees and plants have changed by as much as a day each year over the past decade. In the West, spring is arriving later; in the East, it's arriving sooner.

That shift is bad news for migratory birds, many of which follow a strict schedule to get to their breeding grounds in spring. Once they land, they expect to feast on a bounty of insects, which are themselves gorging on the fresh foliage. If the birds miss the peak plant emergence, chances are the best food has already been snatched up—or, if they arrive early, they'll struggle while they wait for it to become available. This isn't just problematic for adults: The birth and survival of their chicks depends on nature’s seasonal buffet, too.

A new study published in Scientific Reports confirms the growing disconnect between birds’ internal clocks and the changing seasons. Researchers from across the country studied 48 migratory songbirds, and found that nine (Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Wood-Pewees, and Northern Parulas, to name a few) are struggling to keep pace with the onset of blooms. Across all the species they looked at, the gap between avian arrivals and the growth of spring leaves in prime breeding locations has increased by an average of half a day each year.

Scientists have tracked spring bird arrivals for decades, but this research offers a broader perspective across species. “What we were trying to do was for the first time scale this up to get a bigger picture,” says Stephen Mayor, lead author of the study and an ecologist at the University of Florida. “We haven’t been able to do that kind of thing in the past because we just haven’t had good data.”

The new analysis paired more than a decade’s worth of data from the citizen-science website eBird with information from a NASA satellite that tracks the yearly arrival of spring greenery. “A single scientist can’t study the globe, can’t study a continent, so tackling these questions requires a new approach,” says Morgan Tingley, an ornithologist at the University of Connecticut and co-author of the paper. Layering the two data sources showed that certain birds are rescheduling their migratory journeys as spring green-up starts on alternate dates. The question, however, is if they’re adjusting quickly enough, Tingley says. Mayor echoes that concern. “One week per decade can really add up pretty quickly and leave birds out of sync with their environments,” he says.

Tingley is particularly worried about the Yellow-billed Cuckoo, which is already in danger of losing its riverside habitat. He also points out that three of the most popular spring migrants—Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Scarlet Tanagers, and Indigo Buntings—are facing jarring changes to their calendars.

To further complicate matters, the seasonal shifts are divergent on opposite sides of the continent. “As soon as we put these things up on a map, we recognized that something very different was happening in eastern North America than in western North America,” Mayor says. In parts of the West, spring is arriving later,
and out-of-sync birds are arriving before it’s in full swing. Where Eastern birds might miss the big feasts, Western birds may have to tough it out before they have the chance to rebuild their fat deposits after a long migration. “There’s lots of regional variation, but it’s a pretty stark difference,” he says.

Yet timing is only half of the climate change puzzle. Some of the northern breeding habitats that birds are flying to are becoming less suitable in terms of temperature or yearly rainfall—a double whammy for struggling populations. “They’re going to have to figure out both where and when they’ve got to arrive,” says Brooke Bateman, the director of Audubon’s Climate Watch program, who wasn’t involved in the Scientific Reports study. “That’s kind of a lot to deal with at one time.”

Because long-distance migrants have to plan their journeys from afar, they may rely solely on environmental cues. “It’s not like these birds have an app on their phone that can tell them the weather in New York,” Tingley says. “We’re changing weather patterns and changing what’s going on without giving birds an ability to respond.”

This article was originally published on Audubon.org on May 16, 2017.

BIRDING TOOLS

eBird Mobile

The new eBird Mobile app makes it possible to collect and submit observations directly to eBird from the field. iOS and Android users who were accustomed to entering eBird data using the BirdLog app are encouraged to switch to eBird Mobile, the new and official app for entering data to eBird.

Merlin Bird ID

In a breakthrough for computer vision and for bird watching, researchers and bird enthusiasts have enabled computers to achieve a task that stumps most humans—identifying hundreds of bird species pictured in photos. Build in concert with the exceedingly popular Merlin app, the Merlin Bird ID tool lets you upload an image of a bird that you’ve photographed, and if the photo shows one of the supported species, it returns the correct species in the top 3 results, 90% of the time. It currently supports 400 species in North America, but will eventually be expanding to more species in North America, and worldwide. Give it a try.

Birds and wildlife have adapted to utilize native plants that provide food, cover, nesting sites or a combination of resources. Native plants provide food at different times of the year to birds in the form of seeds, fruit or as invertebrate host sites. The growth habits of native plants present recognizable, safe nesting sites and cover that protect birds from inclement weather and predation. The importance of these plants to birds, insects and other wildlife cannot be overstated.

Using native plants in your backyard landscape will offer the most resources to birds and wildlife and serve as rewarding attractants. On these pages you will find some examples of plants that are particularly valuable to specific birds and other beneficial organisms. A more comprehensive database with regional references is in the works at Audubon At Home and will be available online in the near future.

These are the insects, bugs and other organisms on the front line of pest control in your yard, guarding against destructive bugs and helping plants reproduce. Nature supplies these beneficial bugs of course, but you can encourage them to remain in your yard by providing them with some essential elements.

Nearly every plant in a natural environment will sustain at least some damage by pests…it is part of the natural balance. But pests don’t overpopulate a natural ecosystem due to the presence of natural enemies. In a healthy yard with its native plants and pesticide-free environment, pests will appear—and so will natural enemies.

Move Over, Lady - It has long been known that ladybugs (or lady beetles), especially in their larval stage, are "good bugs" with voracious appetites for aphids. Without dismissing the value of ladybugs as garden friends, there are other natural pest enemies that are much less conspicuous but even more valuable. The lowly "gnat" that flies by your ear may in fact be the tiny eulophid wasp – a full-grown one is just one-eighth inch – on her way to lay up to one hundred eggs in the pupae of tree-destroying beetles.

Predatory and parasitoid flies and wasps are key players in the biological control of insect pests. Many, in fact, are reared in laboratories and dispersed into crops, forests and neighborhoods to control exotic insect pests (i.e. elm leaf beetle). Click on the link below to learn more about the tiny denizens of your yard and other beneficial organisms.

THE PLANTS – Nectar for Natural Pest Enemies

Syrphid (hover) Fly, photo by Carl Dennis, Auburn University

Nectar is an important dietary supplement for beneficial wasps and flies. Asters and their cousins (such as daisies and goldenrod) offer excellent resources and there are native varieties in every part of the country. Flowers that are composites - where many small symmetrical flowers occur in a central disk - are perfect for small wasps and flies such as the common predaceous hover fly (pictured left). Many of the beneficial insects are small and require a short flower structure in order to access the nectar.

These same flowering plants will attract a wide range of important pollinators such as native bees, butterflies and honeybees. When they produce seed, these plants will provide a valuable food source for birds and other wildlife in the fall and winter.

Plant a variety of plant types such as groundcover, trees, and shrubs, mimicking natural growth patterns to form complex habitat that will be home to a greater variety of beneficial insects.

THE INSECTS – Information and pictures of the lesser-known but effective natural enemies that occupy your backyard.

PLANTS TO ATTRACT BENEFICIAL INSECTS – Your guide to some stellar examples of the useful plants that will attract a variety of beneficial insects. Look for examples of similar native flowers occurring in your region.

If you’re interested in finding out what rare and unusual birds are being seen in California (or anywhere in the US, for that matter), you should check out Sialia, aka The Birding Lists Digest. Sialia (http://digest.sialia.com) was created to help birders find out "what's going on lately" in various regions of the U.S. with a minimum of hassle. The Digest automatically compiles all posts to dozens of birding email lists and organizes them by region, by day, and by list. Birders can view the current day's messages, or browse messages from the last 30 days. This system allows birders to find information about rare bird sightings and other goings-on around the country in a timely and efficient manner. Check it out!

General Membership meetings from
September-December and February-April. We often have local experts
presenting topics such as Beginning Birding, Gardening for birds and butterflies,
Raptor Rehabilitation, Sandhill Cranes-our local
winter wonders, Swainson's Hawk conservation,
Slide presentations on trips to Mexico, Galapagos, Honduras, Florida,and much, much more.

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